Rookie Watch: Bedard, Fantilli among top 7 scorers age 19 or younger

The impact several rookies are making on the NHL is one of the major storylines of the 2022-23 season. Each week, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season's class in the Rookie Watch.

This week, a look at the top seven rookie scorers among players age 19 or younger (listed by point total):

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks: The 18-year-old center, selected No. 1 in the 2023 NHL Draft, leads NHL rookies in goals (11) and points (23) in 27 games. He also leads all first-year players in even-strength goals (10) and points (18), and rookie forwards in average ice time (19:20). Bedard (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) has 24 takeaways and 84 shots on goal, which also ranks first among rookies. He's played center with left wing Anthony Beauvillier and Philipp Kurashev. Chicago controls 45.4 percent of all 5-on-5 shot attempts when Bedard is on the ice.

Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets: The 19-year-old (6-2, 194), selected No. 3 in the 2023 draft, is tied for second among rookies with 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 30 games. Fantilli is fourth among rookie forwards in blocked shots (14), tied for fourth in takeaways (13), and ninth in hits (22). He averages 15:09 of ice time and is tied for third among rookies with 14 even-strength points (seven goals, seven assists).

Logan Cooley, C, Arizona Coyotes: He is tied for sixth among rookies with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists), and first with 10 power-play points (two goals) in 26 games. The No. 3 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft has become an effective playmaker in Arizona's scheme and is tied for fourth among rookies in face-off wins (97) and fourth in winning percentage (44.3; with a minimum of 100 draws). The 19-year-old (5-10, 174) is the center on a line with left wing Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz and averages 16:49 of ice time. The Pittsburgh native will get an opportunity to play against his boyhood idol, Sidney Crosby, when Arizona visits the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, SCRIPPS, SN, TVAS).

Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks: The No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft is tied for eighth among rookies with 13 points (eight goals, five assists) while averaging 18:16 of ice time in 19 games. Carlsson (6-3, 194) ranks third among rookies in points per game (0.68; minimum 15 games). When in the lineup, the 18-year-old is usually playing with Alex Killorn and Troy Terry on the top line. The Ducks continue to monitor his playing time in an attempt to maximize his reps while bringing him along slowly. He has three power-play goals and a 19.1 shooting percentage, which is tied for third among rookies (minimum 15 games). The Ducks control 49.6 percent of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when Carlsson is on the ice, which is tied for 15th among rookies (minimum 15 games).

Matthew Poitras, C, Boston Bruins: The second-round pick (No. 54) in the 2022 draft is tied for 11th among rookies with 12 points (five goals, seven assists). Poitras (5-11, 180) has averaged 14:04 of ice time in 25 games, and recently he's been skating on a line with left wing James van Riemsdyk and right wing Trent Frederic. The 19-year-old is third among rookie forwards in blocked shots (15) and second in takeaways (18).

Kevin Korchinski, D, Blackhawks: He is tied for fourth among rookie defensemen with seven points (two goals, five assists) while averaging 19:31 of ice time in 25 games. The 19-year-old (6-1, 185), who was selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, is fourth among rookie defensemen in blocked shots (30) and tied for second in takeaways (nine). He plays on a pair with Connor Murphy but is away from the team right now to attend to a family matter.

Zach Benson LW, Buffalo Sabres: The No. 13 pick in the 2023 draft is tied for 14th among rookie forwards with seven points (two goals, five assists) in 18 games. The 18-year-old (5-10, 170) has averaged 14:49 of ice time while playing a line with center Dylan Cozens and right wing JJ Peterka. The Sabres control 50.3 percent of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when Benson is on the ice. He also has five hits, five blocked shots and six takeaways.